Game apparatus



R. W. LELLIS AND E. W. ADAMS.

GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 7. 1920.

1,386,5 1 '7 Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

E QL- I I I I AT I'Y- 1'0 all whom it may concern:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BOY W. LELLIS AND EUGHE W. ADAMS. OF TORONTO; ONTARIO. CANADA. ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD TO FREDERICK P. HAMBLY, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

Gum Arrana'rtrs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 9 Be it known that we. Ror W. Lamas and EUGEXE V. ADAMS, subjects of the King of Great Britain, residing in the clty of Toronto, in the county of York, Prov nce of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to amusement or game devices such as are largely employed in popular amusement resorts, our object being to provide an improved game table designed especially for playing the game of baseball and which will automatically record on an indicator board the length of hit made by the batter.

A further object is to provide simple and easily operated means for clearing the device of balls when a game is over.

The device is constructed as hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanyi drawings in whichigure 1 is a plan view, partly diagrammatic, of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 a section on the line H in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail showing the method of establishing the electrical contact in one of the holes.

In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts 1n the difierent figures. g

1 is a saucer "shaped playing board suitably supported on a stand 2.- n the bottom 3 of thesaucer are formed a plurality of holes 4 of suflicient size to allow the balls used in playing the game to ass through them. The bottom 3 and the oles therein will usually be laid out in the form of an holes 4 on to the ground, a ball support 5 is provided below the bottom 3. This support 5 will usually be hinged at, one side, as at 6, and will be retained in its ball supporting position by means of a lever 8 fulcrumed on an upright '9, which lever 8 will preferably have an anti-friction roller 7 journaled on the end engaging the ball support 5. This lever 8 might, however, be suitably fulcrumed on the stand 2. Means will be provided for locking the lever 8 with its roller 7 in'the raised position. A trough 10 is preferably secured on the frame 2 to receive the balls from the support 5 and guide the balls to a receptacle 11.

Supported onthe ball support 5 are a plurality of electrical contacts 12. Each of these contacts will be directly underneath a hole 4, and will comprise two spring members, the end of one of the members extending over the end of the other. but normally out of contact with each other. At least the upper member of the contact 12 is-of sufficient lightness and flexibility that the weight of one of the balls used with the ap paratus will be suflicient to depress the upper member so that it will contact with the lower member.

As in the present case, only certain of the holes, such as 4. 4. 4, and 4, representing first base, second base, third base and the home plate, have values placed thereon, contacts 12 will usually only be placed under these particular holes.

In conjunction with the device, we provide an indicator board 14, which will usually be laid out as a baseball diamond to correspond with the bottom 3. On this indicator board will be supported a plurality of lights. A light 15 will be connected with the contact below the hole 4, a light 15 connected with the contact below the hole 4", a light 15 connected with thecontact below the hole 4, and a light 15 will be connected with the contact below the hole 4.

It will be understood, ofcourse, that contacts 12 may be provided under each hole 4 and a corresponding light placed on the indicator board 14 for each contact, and in V this case the holes having special values might have their corresponding lights in distinguishing colors.

The apparatus will be used as follows. Each player will be provided with a ball. As the holes 4, 4", 4, and 4, which indicate the bases are given graduated values, for example, a. one base hit, a two base hit, a three base hit, and a home run respectively, it will be the players object to throw the balls into the holes having the highest values. Preferably all the players will throw their balls simultaneously, and the player whose ball landed in the hole 4 would be declared the winner, or if no ball landed in the hole 4, the player whose ball landed in the hole 4, 4 or. 4, as the case may be, would be the winner. The weight of the balls in the holes 4, 4", 4, and 4 resting on the contacts 12- beneath them would close the circuits of the lights 15*, 15". 15 and 15, which would then be illuminated.

The halls would, of course, have to have suitable identifying marks. such as the name of a city. a numeral or letter, or be of different colors.

hen the game is ended the lever 8 is unlocked. which allows the ball support 5 to swing down and the balls roll oil into the trough 10. and thence into the receptacle 11. The ball support 5 is then again raised into position by the lever 8, the lever locked, and the apparatus is'then in condition for the next game.

It will be understood of course that the difierent light circuits may each include a separate source of current. or connected-up to one source as is the most convenient.

'hat we claim as our invention is 1. In game apparatus, the combination of a board having a plurality of openings therein large enough for the passage of balls; a common movable ball support located below said board and adapted to retain balls in said openings; releasable means for holding the ball support in ball supporting position. and a trough adapted to receive balls from the ball support when the latter is moved from its ball supporting position.

2. In game apparatus, the combination of a board having a. plurality of openings therein; a common ball support located belowsaid openings and adapted to retain balls therein; an electrical contact located on said support below one of said openings; an indicator board; an electrical circuit including a source of power, a light on said indicator board, and said contact, said circuit being adapted to be closed to operate the light by a ball resting on said contact.

3. In game apparatus, the combination of a board having a plurality of openings therein; a frame supporting said board; a movable support located below said board and adapted to support balls in said openings; releasable means for holding the ball support. in ball supporting position; electric contacts located on the movable support directly below certain of said openings; an indicator board having lights thereon corresponding to the holes having electric contacts; an electric circuit for each of said lights including a source of current and the contact, said circuitsbeing adapted to be closed to operate the lights by balls resting on said contacts.

Signed at the said city of Toronto this 25th day of September, 1920.

ROY W. LELLIS.

EUGENE W. ADAMS. 

